Messi transfer request leaves coach needing a “miracle” after Suarez update
Luis Suarez's manager has admitted that he needs “a miracle” to stop the Uruguayan’s reunion with Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
The former Liverpool striker spent last season with Brazilian side Gremio as he scored 23 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions. That stint followed an emotional return to boyhood club Nacional.
However, Suarez now has a decision ahead of him. The 36-year-old’s contract with Gremio expires at the end of the calendar year and it is expected that he will pen a deal with MLS side Inter Miami.
A contract has not yet been officially signed that would see him reunited with former Barcelona teammate Messi. However, his current manager Renato Gaucho is not optimistic of keeping Suarez at the club.
Speaking after the striker scored the winning goal against Bahia, he said: "It will take a miracle [for Suarez to stay]. He already has plans for 2024.
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“He made that clear a few months ago and I’m not expecting a miracle. It’s his decision. I’d like him to stay, but we have to be honest with our fans. If he ends up staying, it’ll be a miracle, and that miracle comes down to him.”
Suarez has also offered his view on a move to MLS and would be keen on playing with Messi once again. Speaking to Cadena Ser last year, he said: "With Messi in Miami in a few years? Hopefully. On and off the pitch we’ve been good together. There is nothing better than seeing two colleagues happy outside so that they perform inside.”
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez enjoyed a productive relationship at Barcelona (Getty Images)Will Lionel Messi return to Europe? Share your predictions in the comments below
Suarez is not the only one of his former teammates that Messi is keen to be reunited with ahead of his second season with Inter Miami. According to El Gol Digital, the Argentine has made a personal plea to David Beckham for the club to sign Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
The former Barcelona star is currently with LaLiga rivals Sevilla but sees his contract at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán end at the end of the season, with the club keen for him to take a wage cut. Meanwhile, Sergio Roberto has been tipped to make a move to South Florida once his Camp Nou contract comes to an end.
Should all of the trio become Inter Miami players, that would make it six former Barcelona players at the club. Both Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets signed after Messi’s initial arrival.
However, they were not able to guide Inter Miami to glory during the 2023 season. They finished 14th in the Eastern Conference table with just nine wins from 34 games and missed out on a place in the MLS playoffs.
They also missed out on the US Open Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Houston Dynamo in the final. Miami did however manage to win the Leagues Cup.
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